On August 1, 1776, Major Andrew Williamson and the South Carolina militia were in pursuit of Loyalist forces when the British Loyalists and their Cherokee allies ambushed them at the Cherokee town of Esseneca. The battle led to the death of Francis Salvador — the first Jewish individual killed in the American Revolution. The following month, Williamson and his men returned to the site to establish a log fort: Fort Rutledge.
Today, Clemson University occupies the land that once witnessed these moments in American history, and on August 1, 2026, a team of Clemson faculty, staff, and volunteers will unveil new features that help tell the story of Fort Rutledge and the people around it.
The team has reconstructed a wooden battlement near the entrance that imitates the look and construction techniques of the original fort.
Associate Professor Joshua Catalano of the Department of History and Geography has been conducting historical and archeological research on the site for several years, and will be leading a talk and tour at 10 a.m. on August 1.
“This fort helped pave the way for what became the plantation economy in the Upstate,” Catalano explained. “It is also significant because it shows how our history is complex. What was a fight for freedom and liberty for one group came at the expense of another — the Cherokee.”
The event and construction were made possible by a grant from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250).
Archeological breakthroughs
Fort Rutledge, which was surrendered to the British and destroyed in 1780, represents a turning point in the history of the site. Recent archeological research from Catalano and other scholars shows that the Cherokee town of Esseneca may have been the site of human civilization for more than a millennium. Last year, an archeological field school on the site discovered pottery that returned a radiocarbon date of 677-873 CE. Previously, the earliest historical record of human settlement on the land that later become Clemson dated back to 1720.
“For us, this is the earliest piece of history we now know about Clemson,” said Catalano.
Archeological work continues at the site. Even while the new fort wall was being built, Catalano and Assistant Professor of Archeology Jessica Jenkins carefully sifted the displaced clay for any artifacts that can help complete the picture of the site.
Careful reconstruction
In 1908, the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a concrete block monument in honor of Fort Rutledge. The monument is a lasting tribute to the patriots who fought and died at the site although it has limited resemblance to the wooden structure of the original fort. The new wall outside the entrance to the monument is a testament to the techniques and materials Williamson’s men used to secure and hold their position for four years.
“The tops were cut into points, similar to a pencil, matching the style of defensive posts that would have been used in a fortification wall. This deterred attackers from scaling the fortified walls,” Catalano said. Then, the bottom of each post is burned and blackened before being dropped into place.
“That is a traditional method used to help protect the wood from rot and insects,” he explained. Lastly, horizontal boards are secured to the back of the wall to prevent warping.
Attending the Talk and Tour
The talk and tour is open to all members of the public. The Fort Rutledge site is near the water treatment plant near Lake Hartwell; the entrance to the access road can be found near the Nieri Alumni and Visitors Center.
When: August 1, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Where: 502 Lake Dr Clemson, SC 29631
About SC250
The South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) was established by the SC Legislature to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary Era and highlight the state’s significant role in securing America’s freedom.m SC250’s mission is to celebrate and promote South Carolina’s role in the American Revolution by engaging and inspiring South Carolinians and visitors through heritage tourism, rural economic impact initiatives and educational programs.
